Bill Bixby: The Actor Behind David Banner Who Left Too Soon

Born in 1934, this gifted actor and television director built a career that stretched more than three decades. He became a household name as David Banner in the late ’70s and early ’80s—yes, the man tied to that unforgettable warning: you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Sadly, his life ended far too early in 1993.

For over 30 years, American television benefited from his talent both in front of the camera and behind it, with colleagues often pointing to his natural warmth as a major part of his appeal. Ray Walston once summed it up perfectly:

”I believe that was the reason people liked him — instantly and completely.”
The star in question, of course, is Bill Bixby.Big break in 1963

Bill Bixby—born Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III on January 22, 1934, in San Francisco—grew into one of TV’s most recognizable faces, later expanding into directing with equal skill.

An only child, he discovered a passion for performance early, joining the speech and debate team at Lowell High School. He went on to attend City College of San Francisco and UC Berkeley, though he ultimately left school to pursue acting full-time. In those early years, he supported himself through modeling and commercial work before landing steady television roles.

His major breakthrough came in 1963 with My Favorite Martian, where he played reporter Tim O’Hara, paired with Ray Walston’s unpredictable alien. The series ran for three seasons, turning Bixby into a familiar name in living rooms across America.From there, he continued building a strong TV résumé. He starred as widowed father Tom Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, a role that earned him three Emmy nominations. Later, he took on the lead in The Magician as stage illusionist Anthony Blake, a short-lived series that still developed a devoted cult following.